Clemson’s blowout loss to West Virginia in the 2012 Orange Bowl was undoubtedly the lowest point – the Tiger defense was shredded, humiliated and trampled, and many despaired that there might never be a feared defense to cheer for in their lifetimes.

Clemson head coach Dabo SwinneyDabo SwinneyHead CoachView Full Profile added defensive coordinator Brent VenablesBrent VenablesDefensive Coordinator / LinebackersView Full Profile after that Orange Bowl loss, and along the way several young players who were still trying to find their way on that miserable night in Florida grew up.

During the 2013 season, Clemson’s defense finished 24th nationally while leading the nation in tackles for loss with 123. The defensive line was a big reason for that astounding number, and they are all back in 2014, including defensive tackle Grady JarrettGrady JarrettSr. Defensive Tackle#50 6-1, 290Conyers, GAView Full Profile, who thinks his defense will take another step forward this season.

"I believe we have the personnel and the coaching staff to be if not the best, certainly one of the best in the country,” Jarrett said last week. “We just have to come out and stick to it everyday. We have young guys, young talent on the corners, but outside of that we're all seasoned vets. The sky is the limit for us as long as we believe in our coaches. We have to cut out the big plays and everything will take care of itself. We had so much improvement this (past) year which kind of went unnoticed and unrecognized, but we're just going to keep getting better."

Sack master Vic BeasleyVic BeasleyRS Sr. Defensive End#3 6-3, 225Adairsville, GAView Full Profile surprised a lot of people by returning for his senior season, and he said that one of the reasons he decided to spend another year in Clemson was due to the fact he wants to see how good the defense can become.

“I feel like we’ve got plenty of time to get better – all spring and all of fall camp. I think by the time it’s all said and done, we’ll be a lot like Florida State was last year – a top-notch defense and probably one of the best in the country.”

Beasley then said that if defense wins championships, he can dream the impossible dream.

“Playing with this group one more time is very big for me,” he said. “It’s an accomplishment. I just want to go back out here and make a statement with this team one more time and hopefully end it with a national championship run and bring home the national championship back to Clemson.”

The big question mark surrounding the defense is the secondary – we’ve been saying that for a few years now – but Beasley thinks a ferocious front seven will take some of the pressure off that group.

“We have to be more of a leader to the secondary because we have such a young secondary,” he said. “That’s one of roles to be better this year. We have to be committed this year. We were committed last year, but there’s always room for improvement. I feel like with more commitment, we can be the best d-line in the country.”

Senior defensive tackle DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn WilliamsSr. Defensive Tackle#99 6-1, 285Central, SCView Full Profile says that the fearsome group up front is playing with confidence born of experience.

“We are very confident in the knowledge of the playbook,” Williams said. “We can call out things even before they happen. Right now, we are just playing very free and confident.”

The defense will get its first big test during the season opener against Georgia, and then two weeks later against Florida St., something that Williams says every player is aware of.

“It does make you push harder,” he said. “Because you know what you are about to get into.”